UnitLevel 2Undergraduate

DGN2523 Creative prototyping: Connected objects

Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture

DGN2523 Creative prototyping: Connected objects is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture. It isn't offered in 2026. It needs DGN2522 or CDS2522.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2026
Not offered

This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

After DGN2523

No unit lists DGN2523 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.

Overview

This unit builds on Creative prototyping: Interactivity (DGN2522) by introducing you to the world of designing digitally connected objects with the help of wireless and advanced prototyping technologies, and expands on the foundational learning of electronic, physical and interactive prototyping. You are encouraged to discover innovative and creative applications for the Internet of Things (IoT), thinking about the potential for digitally imbued devices or environments that can resolve, improve or enhance society. You will also be introduced to the theories of media and communication and get to discuss and understand the opportunities and pitfalls of the increasingly connected and digitally integrated world.

By engaging in weekly hands-on workshop activities, you will build your design skills through experimental practice and critical reflection of how communication technologies transform our everyday lives. Specifically, you will get to participate in advanced electronic design and prototyping methods, including basic circuit board fabrication, the integration of miniaturised electronic designs into forms, and the exploration of flexible circuit design and materials in your learning journey.

There is a pre-requisite of understanding how to work with microcontrollers, general electronic sensing and actuation. A moderate level of experience engaging with the Arduino platform or similar coding environments is also required.

Offerings in 2026

The 2026 handbook lists no offerings for DGN2523.

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Discuss the opportunities and challenges of designing digitally connected experiences by considering their impact through objects, surfaces and/or environments;

  2. 2

    Conceptualise, design and prototype interactions that clearly demonstrate a sensitivity towards bridging physical and digital experiences;

  3. 3

    Prototype connected, physical objects by combining fabrication, microcontrollers, electronic sensors and expression components;

  4. 4

    Design and fabricate simple, miniaturised custom circuit boards, including rigid and flexible variants, to support a design-centric form exploration;

  5. 5

    Understand how wireless technologies function, leveraging digital data protocols and web services to experiment with the server-side aspects of a digitally connected device;

  6. 6

    Informed by regular weekly updates, produce a design journal that uniquely balances a creative-driven, transdisciplinary account of your ideation and prototype development through design research, ideation, fabrication and electronic circuit design.

Workload and teaching

  • Studio activities36 hours
  • Teaching approachActive learning
  • Teaching approachPeer assisted learning

12 hours per week including 3 contact hours plus 9 hours of independent study.

Where it fits

DGN2523 is part of 1 area of study in the 2026 handbook.

Contacts

Chief Examiners
Dr Chuan Khoo
Unit Coordinators
Dr Chuan Khoo

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for DGN2523?

You need DGN2522 or CDS2522 before you enrol; and OHS1000 before or alongside it.

When is DGN2523 offered?

DGN2523 has no offerings listed in the 2026 handbook.

Which majors and minors include DGN2523?

DGN2523 is part of Design.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
2
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture
Organisational unit
Department of Design
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Available
Handbook years
20262027